NEW BLOG

Hello,

I created a new blog where I will be posting all my classroom goodies. I will no longer be using this blog. Come join me at

http://thelovelylightbulb.blogspot.com

-Thank You-

Katie

Spread LUCK not germs

Hi,

I've moved blogs. You can find this at

http://thelovelylightbulb.blogspot.com/2014/04/spread-luck-not-germs.html

Lots of Love

-Katie-

Snaps for Apps

When I was looking for some iPad apps that my students could use, I came across a couple of apps that have captivated my students and they are FREE!!!! My school has an iPad cart that is shared by the whole school. If your school is doing something similar, I advise you to schedule a day each week dedicated to using this wonderful technology. 

First App: Geoboard App

This app can be enjoyed by all grade levels. My students use this to explore shapes for our grade level standard 1.G.1. Students can make unique pictures or create various polygons.

Second App: Number Pieces

image by: Apple

This app is great for having manipulatives at your student's fingertips without having to make sure they didn't lose one last time they used them. This is great for teaching the area model for multiplication or for using it to teach ones, tens, and hundreds for adding and subtracting. 

Third App: Rekenrek

Rekenrek is a great way to teach students number sense. This is a great app that allows your students to build their number sense without the bulkiness of storing Rekenreks. 

 I will continue to share iPad apps that I find. 

-Kate-

Cone of AWESOME

This is the cone of AWESOME and it cost me $1 at Dollar Tree.

 I have my students in groups, which I absolutely love. Students/Groups can earn group points throughout the day for doing an amazing job in line, in class, on an assignment, for working together, and for any positive action. At the end of the week, the group with the most points gets to put the "cone of AWESOME" on their desks.

When introducing the cone of AWESOME to the class, you must make a big deal about it. I always say it with an announcer type voice. Throughout the week, I always remind groups that they could be next on receiving the cone of AWESOME and refer back to the group points. My students really enjoy it and get really excited when their group wins. 

-Kate-

Halloween Monsters

Made these Halloween Monsters for the kiddos at work. No food gift that is sure to put a smile on any child's face. I bought the bubbles at Target in the kid party section and the googly eyes at dollar tree. Using a hot glue gun add the eyes and with a sharpie draw the mouth. My kiddos loved these silly Halloween Monsters.

Back-to-School {Alphabet Cards Printable}

Hi,

I have changed blogs. You can find the Alphabet Card Printables at 

http://thelovelylightbulb.blogspot.com/2014/04/12.html

Lots of Love,

Katie

Easy-to-Make Chalkboard

I’ve wanted to make a chalkboard for a long time now and finally got around to making one. It was simple and quick to make. I’ve seen lots of different chalkboards made from frames you can buy at your local craft stores, but I found that the size of frame I would need would cost a lot. I went looking at my local thrift shops and came across this simple frame. Local thrift shops carry a variety of unique frames of all different shapes, sizes, and colors for cheap. You are sure to find one that works for you. Plus if it isn’t in the color you like, you can always paint it!!! You just have to be patient when looking. When I initially started this project, I made my own chalkboard paint using a recipe I found online, but found that it didn’t work very well. I decided to buy chalkboard paint at Joann (my local craft store) and it worked 100% better. I found through this project that it was also cheaper to use the chalkboard paint from my local craft store (Joann). If you have a local craft store like Michaels or Joann, these stores usually have a 40% and 50% off coupon that you can use to buy the chalkboard paint.

This easy DIY is to show you how simple it is to make a chalkboard once you buy your frame from the store or thrift shop.

Materials

Frame with cardboard backing

Chalkboard paint (bought or made)

Paintbrush

Newspaper

Chalk

Directions: Take out the cardboard backing from the frame. Set out the newspapers and place cardboard on top to insure that the chalkboard paint does not get on your floor. Using the paintbrush, paint the chalkboard paint onto the cardboard (follow directions on store-bought chalkboard paint if you are using this type of paint). Let it dry and place cardboard back into the frame. Add your quote or drawing with chalk. 

Lots of love,

Kate